Chiara Nava “ We are stunned by this situation .” These are the words with which Maurizio Matta , president of the Azzurri del Calcio Storico Fiorentino, commented on the news of the alleged involvement of former footballer Gabriele Ceccherelli , known as Zena, in the death of David Rossi , head of communications for Monte dei Paschi di Siena, who was found lifeless on March 6, 2013, under the window of his office in Palazzo Salimbeni.
Ceccherelli 's name was mentioned by Gianluca Vinci, president of the parliamentary commission of inquiry into Rossi's death, along with that of former MPS president Giuseppe Mussari , as part of an investigative reconstruction. However, these are hypotheses that will need to be verified and do not constitute proven liability in court. The affair has raised serious concerns within the Azzurri , who, as Matta explains, currently have no direct information and are following developments through media reports.
Maurizio Matta defends the former footballer: "Until proven otherwise, he's innocent."
The Azzurri president reiterated his confidence in Ceccherelli , emphasizing that, at this time, there is no evidence to suggest he's involved in the matter. " We're with Gabriele because we're convinced he's out of this situation ," Matta stated.
And he adds: “ Until proven otherwise, in my opinion he is innocent and has nothing to do with this story .”
These words reflect the mood of an environment affected by news that is still unclear. Matta also expresses his disappointment about the potential repercussions for the entire team and the association, which he believes are unrelated to the matter. " We are a team, an association. We can't talk about our team and Calcio Storico gratuitously, as is happening. We are shaken by this ," he explains.
“Ci è crollato il mondo addosso”: lo smarrimento degli Azzurri
According to Matta, the way the story is being circulated is also a factor, with the risk that the attention on the case could end up involving an entire sports and association community. The president recalls the Azzurri's commitment to social initiatives and projects aimed at young people : " The colors have nothing to do with it, the association has nothing to do with it. We are focused on doing very good social things, important things for young people ."
The disappointment, he says, is profound: " We took it badly, we took it very badly. At that moment, the world kind of collapsed around us ."
Matta clarifies that he has no further information beyond what has been made public and is following developments as a citizen, through newspapers and television news. " We're in the dark about everything, honestly. We don't even know what to say ," he states, then reiterating his conviction about the former footballer: " I'm absolutely convinced that Gabriele has nothing to do with it ."
The president concludes by reiterating his pain at what is emerging: " What we hear even on television hurts us, hurts us greatly. But what can we say? Nothing. I follow it as a citizen: I turn on the television and watch, I open the newspaper and read ."